On Saturday, November 16th, the Delbarton Green Wave clashed with their cross-state rival, the St. Augustine Hermits. Delbarton students and parents filled William O. Regan Stadium in anticipation of another trip to the semi-finals of the Non-Public A playoff bracket. The Green Wave began their 10th game of the season as they begin most: with a Philip Folmar touchdown. After Folmar made it 7-0, Delbarton seemingly lost steam, and St. Augustine’s defense began shutting down the Green Wave.
St. Augustine’s offense began to awaken with a long 45-yard field goal and a touchdown of their own. Senior Navy commit Julian Turney’s touchdown in the 3rd quarter was the last score of the game. He ran 31 times for 152 yards, and his 220-pound frame was too much to handle on Saturday. His performance was enough to eclipse 1,000 yards for the season, a rare feat in Hermit history. St. Augustine also picked up three sacks in the game, with two coming from Akeem Jones.
Delbarton’s offense never really got started, led by an injured Jadon Prinzivalli, who has played spectacularly all season. Despite Folmar’s early touchdown, a few Brock Dandridge run explosions, and good defense, the Green Wave lagged more than usual. St. Augustine held Delbarton to just 186 yards, with only 57 coming on the ground.
On the last few drives of the game, Delbarton had a chance to get the ball back and make a game-winning drive bid. However, Turney crushed the hopes of Delbarton fans with multiple decisive first-down runs to run out the clock.
When St. Augustine entered victory formation, William O. Regan Stadium quickly lost energy. Delbarton seniors watched with disappointment, recalling a full-circle moment from their freshman year. In the 2021 football season, St. Augustine defeated the Green Wave in the early playoff rounds. The history goes back further, however. From 2017 to 2019, Delbarton and St. Augustine finished among the two best in the NJSIAA Baseball State Championship games, with Delbarton taking two of three. Since then, St. Augustine has sent Delbarton home in hockey and baseball.
This spring, Delbarton’s storied baseball team will be able to respond for the football team one final time in their high school career. Green Wave football will look a lot different next year as an astonishing 24 seniors will move on to college. Regardless, Delbarton will be back and live by their motto: Succisa Virescit.
